Boot log show a variety of helpful information for proper troubleshooting. Here is how to disable or enable boot log in Windows 11.
Boot logs show a variety of helpful information for proper troubleshooting. Here is how to disable or enable boot log in Windows 11.
Windows 11 does many things in the background to get the system up and running when you turn on the computer. One of those essential things is initializing all the required drivers. If you are wondering, there are many system drivers Windows needs to initialize, not just the drivers you install. There will be errors while booting without these essential drivers, or the system won’t boot in the worst-case scenario.
When the system is booting slow or acting weird, it is important to know which drivers are loaded and not loaded in the boot process. Learning this information will help you or the system administrator narrow down the problem and help fix it as soon as possible. To put it simply, a boot log helps troubleshoot Windows 11 boot problems.
For example, if an essential boot driver is not loading when you turn on the system, it might cause issues in the entire boot process. You can quickly identify this issue by looking at the Windows 11 boot log.
Boot logging in Windows 11 is disabled by default. You need to enable boot log in Windows 11 manually to see it. Thankfully, it is really easy to do.
This quick and easy how-to guide will show you how to disable or enable boot log in Windows 11 in simple steps with screenshots.
Jump to:
- Get BitLocker recovery key
- Enable boot log in Windows 11
- Disable boot log in Windows 11
- Boot log file location in Windows 11
Get BitLocker recovery key
Unlike the previous versions, Windows 11 is encrypted with BitLocker thanks to a mandatory security feature called Device Encryption. As such, you need the BitLocker recovery key to enable the boot log feature in Windows 11.
If you are wondering, Windows 11 needs to change the boot record to turn on the boot log. However, since the drive is fully encrypted, you need to provide the BitLocker recovery key to make the changes.
The good thing is, Windows 11 will automatically boot into the recovery environment and ask for the recovery key. When prompted, enter the BitLocker recovery key, and Windows 11 will make the necessary changes and reboot the system automatically.
If you are using a Microsoft Account to log into your user account, you can get the BitLocker recovery key from the official Microsoft Accounts page — https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey (you need to log into your Microsoft account).
If you are using a local account, back up the BitLocker recovery key as a text file to a pen drive and use it as needed. This method works for both online and offline accounts.
Enable boot log in Windows 11
You can enable the boot log feature in Windows 11 via the System Configuration tool. All you have to do is select a checkbox, restart the computer, and you are done. It is as easy as that. Let me show you how to do it.
- Use the “Win + R” shortcut to open Run.
- Type “msconfig” in the blank field.
- Go to the “Boot” tab.
- Select the “Boot log” checkbox.
- Click the “Ok” button at the bottom
- Press “Yes” in the BitLocker warning window.
- Click the “Restart” button.
- If prompted for a recovery key during boot, type it and press Enter.
- With that, you have enabled boot log in Windows 11.
Detailed steps with a bit more information and screenshots:
There are multiple ways to open the System Configuration tool. You can either search for it in the Start menu or open the Run dialog box with the “Windows key + R” shortcut, type “msconfig” in the blank field and click the “Ok” button.
In the System Configuration window, go to the “Boot” tab. This is where you will find different Windows boot options. Under the “Boot Options” section, select the “Boot log” checkbox. Click the “Ok” button to save changes.
Pressing the button will show an information window telling you that the system might boot into recovery mode and prompt the BitLocker recovery key. Make sure you have the recovery key ready and click the “Yes” button. If you are unsure, read the first section to learn how to get the BitLocker recovery key.
When prompted, click the “Restart” button.
As soon as you click the button, the computer will reboot immediately and take you to recovery mode. If prompted, type the BitLocker key and press Enter.
This will make Windows 11 do the necessary changes to the boot record and normally restart the system.
With that, you have enabled the boot log feature in Windows 11.
Disable boot log in Windows 11
If you no longer need the boot log, you can easily disable it. All you need to do is uncheck the Boot Log option, and you are done. Here is how to do it.
- Use the “Win + R” shortcut to open Run.
- Type “msconfig” in the blank field.
- Go to the “Boot” tab.
- Uncheck the “Boot log” checkbox.
- Click the “Ok” button at the bottom
- Press “Yes” in the BitLocker warning window.
- Click the “Restart” button.
- If prompted for a recovery key during boot, type it and press Enter.
- With that, you have disabled the boot log in Windows 11.
Detailed steps:
Press the “Win + R” shortcut to open the Run dialog box. Type “msconfig” in the field and click the “Ok” button. This opens the System Configuration window.
Now, go to the “Boot” tab and uncheck the “Boot Log” checkbox under the “Boot Options” section. Click the “Ok” button to save the changes.
If prompted with a BitLocker notification, click the “Yes” button to continue.
Next, click the “Restart” button.
The system will reboot and might go to the Recovery Mode. If prompted, type the BitLocker recovery key and press Enter. This action will allow Windows 11 to make necessary changes and restart the computer automatically.
With that, you have successfully disabled the boot log in Windows 11.
Boot log file location in Windows 11
As with most Windows log files, the boot log file is stored as a text file in the “C:\Windows” folder with the “ntbtlog.txt” name. i.e., the boot log is recorded to the “C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt” file.
To open the boot log file in Windows 11, open the Run dialog box with the “Windows key + R” shortcut, type “C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt” in the blank field and click the “Ok” button. Windows will open the boot log file in Notepad.
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That is all. It is that simple to enable or disable boot log in Windows 11.
I hope this simple and easy Windows 11 how-to guide helped you.
If you are stuck or need some help, comment below, and I will try to help as much as possible.
